February 5, 2025, 10:02 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Unfortunately, bathrooms often provide the perfect environment for mold. Humidity is usually high, and mold can form quickly if there is inadequate or improper ventilation. myHOMEBOOK presents plant species that can prevent this.
Mold in the bathroom – as soon as it becomes visible, it’s actually already too late. Because once mold has appeared, it is usually difficult to get rid of. Silicone joints, for example, are permanently discolored, and if the mold has already penetrated the wallpaper or plaster, the materials usually have to be completely replaced. However, the moisture created by showering or bathing provides ideal conditions for mold growth. In addition to thorough ventilation and heating, there is a natural solution that is not only effective but also ensures a pleasant indoor climate. Some plant species have the ability to filter the air and regulate humidity, so there are plants that can effectively fight mold in the bathroom.
Overview
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Plants Against Mold in the Bathroom
1. Ivy (Hedera Helix)
Ivy is one of the most effective plants for combating mold in the bathroom. The robust plant can not only get by with little light but also has the ability to absorb pollutants from the air and regulate humidity. Ivy grows quickly and can thrive on a trellis or in a hanging basket. A particular advantage is that ivy can bind mold spores in the air and thus prevent them from spreading.
Care instructions: Ivy needs a light to semi-shady location and should be watered regularly. However, ivy does not tolerate waterlogging.
2. Green Lily (Chlorophytum Comosum)
The green lily is particularly suitable for bathrooms as it adapts very well to damp conditions. It is not only an attractive plant but also a good air purifier. The green lily filters pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air and thus ensures a better indoor climate. Its ability to absorb excess moisture also helps to keep humidity levels in check, making it one of the plants that prevent mold.
Care instructions: The green lily prefers bright, indirect light and should be watered regularly, but not too much. It is extremely easy to care for and requires little attention. Even under poor conditions, it quickly forms so-called “sprouts”, i.e. long shoots with lots of small green lilies on them. These can simply be planted in soil and used as additional natural air filters.
3. Ferns (e.g. Nest Fern or Sword Fern)
Ferns are ideal for the bathroom as they love humid environments. The nest fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) and the sword fern (Nephrolepis obliterata), in particular, are well suited to regulating the humidity in a bathroom.
Care instructions: Ferns prefer shady to semi-shady locations and need to be watered regularly. They like it moist but should not be allowed to become waterlogged. In the bathroom, they look particularly good in hanging baskets or as solitary plants in eye-catching pots. They can look especially attractive in a corner behind the bathtub, for example.
4. Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis)
Known for its healing properties for burns or skin diseases, Aloe vera is also a perfect plant for the bathroom. Aloe vera plants can absorb excess moisture from the air, helping to stabilize the indoor climate and prevent mold. Its prickly leaves also act as a natural air filter and reduce pollutants in the air. If you have aloe vera in your bathroom, you are not only doing something good for your indoor climate but also always have the ideal remedy for skin problems at hand.
Care instructions: Aloe vera needs plenty of light and should only be watered moderately, as it does not tolerate waterlogging and can generally survive for weeks on moisture from the air. A sunny window spot is ideal.
5. Hemp (Sansevieria) as a Plant Against Mold in the Bathroom
Bow hemp, also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” is an extremely robust plant that is perfect for damp bathrooms. Not only is it easy to care for, but it is also an excellent air purifier. Like the green lily, it absorbs pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air and helps to regulate humidity.
Care instructions: Bow hemp is very undemanding and requires little light. This makes it ideal for bathrooms with little natural light.
6. Orchids (Phalaenopsis)
There is a good reason why orchids are found in many bathrooms. In addition to their visual appeal, they help to regulate the humidity, similar to the other plants presented here.
Care instructions: Orchids prefer indirect light. The bathroom is, therefore, often a suitable location, as many bathrooms tend not to offer direct sunlight. Instead of watering the orchid, it is best to submerge it periodically in the sink